Middlesbrough Council is helping to ensure that the town is open for business.

Promoting business and entrepreneurship is one of the key aims in Mayor Ray Mallon's strategy for the town and the council's economic development team has set up a new grants system to encourage local businesses - and companies considering a move to Middlesbrough - to grow and create more jobs in the town.

Grants include:

* Business start-up grants - to help budding entrepreneurs create good quality jobs and diversify the local economic base.

* Business Growth and Competitiveness Fund - for companies which have been in business for at least six months and are considering expansion

* Strategic grants. Support for companies with major plans to grow new jobs.

David Budd, the councillor responsible for regeneration issues said: "Helping established businesses grow and attract new ventures to the town are essential if we're to build a sustainable base for a more prosperous Middlesbrough. We're delighted to be able to encourage businesses and back up the Mayor's pledge to make Middlesbrough "open for business."

Triads owner's new design label venture

Collin Donaldson, a director of Triads, is setting up a new company - Vibe Karma Designs - offering original, customised and innovative clothing designs.

Collin, who has 14 years experience in the design and fashion business is aiming to capture a niche initially in the menswear market.

Middlesbrough Council is supporting the venture with a grant to buy specialist design software.

Collin explained: "With Vibe Karma designs we're aiming initially at the top end of men's market of designer clothing, but we also plan to move quickly into ladies, children's and homeware market as well. The clothes will include t-shirts, sweats, hooded tops and windbreakers firstly, before moving into other areas."

Collin plans to sell his new label through the Triads stores, but plans to sell to other stores as well as trading online eventually. Through his extensive knowledge of fashion he is confident of success in his new venture.

Business Development Officer, Richard Dowson, said: "Collin is already a successful businessman and he is confident of success with his new label which will help get Middlesbrough known nationally and internationally.

"We hope he'll be successful in creating a designer label success story in a designer label town."

Boost for clothing manufacturer

A new clothing manufacturing company has started trading in Middlesbrough, bucking the recent trend of closures in the sector.

International Top Company Ltd has set up with financial help from Middlesbrough Council to help them purchase additional sewing machines and auxiliary equipment.

Aftab Sabir, together with partner Charles Curtis have worked in the clothing industry for a number of years. They decided to set up International Top Company Ltd because they felt there was a gap in the market for ladies clothing that is a bit different.

The company will manufacture and design ladies clothing and be sold to outlets throughout the UK.

The company has set up in Bowes Road, Riverside Park and both Aftab and Charles are extremely confident of growing further.

Aftab said: "It is a competitive market, but we believe we have the right ingredients to make this venture a success."

Senior Business Development Manager, Adrian Watson, said: "Middlesbrough Council are delighted to support International Top Company Limited. It is particularly good to know that when a lot of clothing manufacturing companies have cut back, that a new company is entering the market and looking to do well.

Your pleasure is Jayne's business

Making sure people get in the party mood is all in a day's work for Jayne Profitt.

She has set up her new business, Parties Direct, with help from Middlesbrough Council, after finding that organising parties was far from child's play.

"I got the idea for the business when I was trying to organise my son's 18th birthday party", she said.

"I began to appreciate how difficult it could be to organise a celebration, particularly if you were working and juggling other responsibilities. The aim of Parties Direct is to take the strain - and let you enjoy yourself.

Parties Direct will offer a new approach to youngsters' parties organising the hire of costumes, tableware, party decorations, balloons and play equipment and delivering them direct to the party venue.

The company has taken a unit on Harwood Court, Riverside Park and has received support from Middlesbrough Council's Business Start-Up Grant towards the purchase of a vehicle to help her deliver goods to the parties.

Business Development Officer, Richard Dowson, said: " This is a novel idea and we hope Jayne is successful."